There was a recent furore about this in the UK when one of the medics who was a member of the working party (25 years or so ago) tasked with recommending safe alcohol consumption limits admitted publicly that they had no reliable data and therefore simply made up the 21 units per week.
I had a bottle of Anchor Brewing's Old Foghorn yesterday evening, an absolute classic example of a barley wine. At a wopping 8.8% one bottle was enough.
Which reminds me I am now at 20.29 units of alcohol consumed this week already, tomorrow though, 7.5 units will be wiped from my tally. The question is, should I have a wee drink this evening and exceed the 21 units or not?
Had a pint of this on Thursday in the Farringdon Wetherspoon
http://www.jdwrealale.co.uk/ales/mordue-red-rye-riwaka-371
I got a curry and the drink for something like £6.50. Remarkable - even if the grub is micro wave. Nice clean boozer, quick service and the waitress asked me how was the food. I was gobsmacked. Chicken balti is hotter than I have had before but not as fierce as their vindaloo. JDW is not all bad if you pick the right establishment.
Last night I was in a pub in Twickenham that boast 18 ales and ciders. Lots of bicycles outside and busy - but how I miss drinking up town. The suburbs are just not the same.
Two well researched articles on the origins of India pale ale and porter. The beer from Meantime sadly doesn't live up to its marketing hype, their IPA is flat and shallow in taste, lacking complexity and fails to deliver to its claim of being the only true IPA on the market:
http://www.india-pale-ale.com/Introduction.html
http://www.london-porter.com/Introduction.html
Hoptober by New Belgium Brewing Co. Have never liked their other beers, but this beer is a beauty. Only available for about 4 to 6 weeks each fall.
Aphanizomenon Flos Aquae - blue/green algae.
^That's all in there, it was more than a one page ad for Meantime brewery.
The place I bought the Old Foghorn in also had the Sierra Nevada range of ales in, but at between 14-18 Euros a bottle, I gave them a miss.
Had a bottle of this last night, some critics argue is the best beer in the world, but I think this is based on the fact you can only purchase direct at the abbey: Westvleteren 12 at 10.2%, a heady brew of menstrual fluid and marzipan. It cost me 12Euros on the grey market and an interesting beer, on par with Rochefort beer in its complexity, but at three times the cost, was it worth it? Hell, yes.
Shepherd Neame Autumn Blaze 4% on offer at Lidl. It is still an English brewer with a long history and beers available at reasonable prices. I used to like Master Brew from Majestic. Spitfire and Bishops Finger not so much.
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/shepherd-neame-autumn-blaze/133319/
Went to a wine tasting during the week. Nice to meet old pals straight after work. I did not even get the colours right. The second darkish white was a rose. I guessed between £8 to £15 but some were £39. Makes me glad I am a beer drinker, though I like wine tastings as one off events.
Last edited by Kingstonian (2011-11-13 09:58:37)
There was a proMotional free tasting of Hendricks Gin at the airport as I was leaving. Was cucumber flavored and with a slice of cucumber in it and some tonic. I don't know if it was my holiday mood or the day but it tasted great.
What's the verdict from others on Hendricks? I hadn't come across it before.
I haven't seen it in my local big barn discount grog shops since I been back.
Last edited by fxh (2011-11-29 05:45:36)
Doppio Passo Primitivo
I've now looked in 4 grog shops and no Hendricks!
Obviously it's not going to be on discount. Bah.
Formby , I know it's at the airport at worst I could drive out there.
Found it at Dan Murphy's . It's not cheap.